On October 17, 18 and 19, 2008 over 140,000 people in the UAE and over 117 million people (2% of the world population) around the world Stood Up to Take Action as a part of the international United Nations campaign to remind their leaders of their promises for a better world for tomorrow, articulated through the UN Millennium Development Goals of 2015.

UAE has chosen Millennium Development Goal No. 7 – sustainable environment – as its focus for the 2008 campaign. On the designated dates of October 17th, 18th and 19th, men, women and children across the country Stood Up and took responsibility for their environment by adopting and committing to adopt sustainable practices in their personal and community lives. Like last year, the Mission Green Earth- Stand up and Take Action 2008 campaign is being held under the Royal Patronage of UN Messenger of Peace HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, Wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It has the support of UNDP, UNEP and the International Humanitarian City and is organized by Art of Living and the International Association for Human Values with the support of Barclays Bank PLC.

> VIDEO: Click here to watch Princess Haya addressing UAE in a very powerful, heartfelt speech on the importance of Mission Green Earth, followed by glimpses of some of the many people who made the gesture of Standing Up across the UAE.

As a continuation of this campaign, the Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) cooperative Society, with support of the Indian association and four schools, were part of a Mission Green Earth – Take Action event on Thursday, 13th November 2008 at the Indian Association Hall, Ras Al Khaimah .

The schools that participated were:
1) Scholars Indian School,
2) Indian School, Ras Al Khaimah
3) Indian Public High School
4) The Ideal English School

The event was a big success, with a strong show of energy, enthusiasm and commitment from the organizers as well as participants.

The Chief Guest Mr. Mohammad Al Shamsi, Chairman of RAK Co-op and other Board members of the Indian Association stayed on for a colorful and entertaining program by the talented school children. The evening ended with Ghaf seed planting by school principals and guests.

It is encouraging to see schools and social groups and organisations continuing to participate as role models and instruments of changes for a better tomorrow and continuing to inspire everyone through sustainable living practices that can be applied simply in everyday life.

Photograph: School children and Supporters of Mission Green Earth at the RAK event

# # #

Notes to the Editors:

ONE CAMPAIGN – TWO CHALLENGES

This year’s campaign aims to mobilise and engage UAE residents, collectively and individually, in support of environmental sustainability and sustainable living through two challenges.

Stand Up – All over the country, residents will Stand Up in their homes, communities, schools and colleges, organisations and institutions and read a pledge in support of the Millennium Development Goals with a focus on environmental sustainability. The Stand Up will be reported along with a photograph to be added to the global count for the Guinness Book Record for the largest number of people standing up for a cause.

Take Action – Participants will take action through actively committing to conserve energy and water and reduce waste. They will also be motivated to plant trees and plants that require lesser of the earth’s natural resources, including valuable water, for their survival and maintenance.

To participate and learn more about MISSION GREEN EARTH, go to www.missiongreenearth.org.

BACKGROUND:

The Mission Green Earth campaign has its roots in the United Nations Millennium Goals (MDGs). In September 2000, 189 Heads of Nations came together to commit to work together to end poverty and to build a safer, more prosperous and equitable world for all by 2015 at the United Nations Millennium Summit, which gave birth to the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Mission Green Earth aligns with MDG No. 7 in support of environmental sustainability.

The Millennium Development Goals are supported and reinforced by the United Nations Millennium Campaign (UNMC). Launched in 2002, the UNMC is a U.N. initiative to support and encourage people’s involvement and actions to realise the eight MDG’s and hold their government accountable for the millennium promise. The “Stand up & Speak Out” challenge was launched in 2006. In 2007, 43.7 million people around the world and 98,000 in UAE people stood up to end extreme poverty and hunger.